As mesmerizing blue waves crashed against the pristine Miami beach, I turned to watch her. Wearing a sparkling red bathing suit, she jumped down from the hotel’s barrier wall alongside 30 other beauties gathered for a photo shoot.
But as they hurried toward the next location, her beautiful smile disappeared. Amid the crowd, she quickly sat on the grass.
I leaned over and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
She had pulled a muscle in her leg upon landing and was in excruciating pain.
After months and months of training for Miss Universe, her dejected expression said it all as she hobbled back toward the hotel. The next photo location was a grand staircase.
“I can’t go on!” she whispered.
Then an idea came to me. Gently, I said, “You know, they’ll wonder why you weren’t in this photo when you win Miss Universe.”
Romans 5:3–5 encourages us during difficult times: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Christian recording artist Jenn Johnson touches the heart with her song Never Quit, reminding us:
“I know it’s all you’ve got to just be strong. And it’s a fight just to keep it together, together. I know you think that you are too far gone. But hope is never lost. Hope is never lost.”
The beautiful young woman in the sparkling red bathing suit—my precious daughter—went on to win Miss Universe! For the rest of her life, she carried a plaque bearing two powerful words that captured the spirit of that moment:
NEVER QUIT!
Life has a way of bringing us to our own grand staircases—those moments when pain, disappointment, fear, or exhaustion whisper, “You can’t go on.”
Perhaps you’re facing one of those moments today. Remember, perseverance doesn’t mean you never feel weak. It means you keep trusting God, even when the next step feels impossible.
Sometimes, courage isn’t about taking a giant leap; it’s simply putting one foot in front of the other and allowing God to give you strength for the step ahead.
Whatever challenge you’re facing, don’t give up. You don’t have to see the entire staircase to take the next step. Hold on to hope, lean on God, and remember: He is with you every step of the way.
Never quit. Your story isn’t over yet!
